Scalar-tensor gravitational effects on vacuum decay

Journal Article · Tue May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.41.3024· OSTI ID:6848243

Accetta, F S; Romanelli, P ^[1]

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1. Center for Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511 (USA)

Motivated by a recently proposed extended'' inflation scenario, we apply the formalism of Coleman and De Luccia to the false-vacuum decay of a scalar field coupled to a scalar-tensor theory of gravity. In particular, we discuss a model for false-vacuum decay of a scalar field {sigma} minimally coupled in a Brans-Dicke-like theory of gravity. In such theories, the effective gravitational constant is a function of a scalar field {phi}. In general, {phi} will have nontrivial dynamics in the false vacuum, and as {phi} varies the decay rate of the {sigma} false vacuum need not be constant. We present both an explicit thin-wall'' calculation of the decay rate, and a more general numerical thick-wall'' calculation, comparing them to the standard results for Einstein gravity. We consider some questions of principle concerning boundary conditions for the {phi} field. We discuss the consequences of these results for extended models of inflation.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76ER03075
• OSTI ID: 6848243
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA) Vol. 41:10; ISSN PRVDA; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPOSITE MODELS
COUPLING CONSTANTS
DECAY
EXTENDED PARTICLE MODEL
FIELD THEORIES
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PARTICLE MODELS
QUARK MODEL
SCALAR FIELDS
STRING MODELS
SUPERGRAVITY
UNIFIED-FIELD THEORIES
UNIVERSE
VACUUM STATES